The Nightmare Before Halloween: Your Guide to A Last-Minute Group Costume

We have all been there in the weeks leading up to Halloween. While your main concern may be snagging a Fright Night ticket, the ultimate conundrum still remains: what should our group costume be for Halloween?  

Think of this article as your ‘how-to’ guide to coming up with the best group costume and throwing a spooktacular party to match. Whether you are in need of last-minute ideas or already planning ahead for next year, this article will give you a bunch of suggestions for how to pick the perfect scary look for you and your friends this Spooky Season.  

The Classics

Credit: @RachelEileen on Pinterest

Think pirate crew or Count Dracula and his posse; the classic white button up shirt is your best friend and can be styled many different ways to create the perfect last minute group costume.  This shirt can easily be paired with dark denim and large accessories or scarves to form a band of perilous pirates. Alternatively, if you have some black miniskirts and large dramatic capes you can easily pair the white button up to transform yourselves into the residents of Transylvania – perhaps we finally have another use for those St Andrews academic red gowns?

Credit: @Halloweendotcom on Instagram

Sticking with the theme of classic yet scary, we have the carnival of clowns which is perfect for the friend group that likes to pull tricks more than hand out treats. This costume only relies on bright colours, polka dots and the real star of the show…face paint! It’s really that simple.

Pop Culture Moments

When drawing inspiration from pop culture such as films, TV, or music groups, you may not create the scariest look, but it’s still a fun way to coordinate a look for you and your friends.  

Starting off strong we have the ultimate mixed group costume of the Scooby Gang.  

Whilst this costume may cause the great argument of Halloween 2025 over who has to be Scooby Doo, it’s still a super easy costume to throw together at the last minute. Each member of the Scooby gang has a signature colour which anyone can find in their wardrobe be it purple, orange, green or blue.  

Credit: @KristenStrathman on Pinterest

Another iconic pop culture group costume from could be the Tinker Bell fairies of Pixie Hollow. If you are looking for a more wholesome Halloween, why not throw yourselves a themed party and put on those fairy wings to enjoy some fairy cakes and other delicious treats. To really bring this party to life, edible glitter is a must and can be used to decorate both yourselves and the food!

Credit: @Popsugar on Pinterest

Finally, the honourable mentions of pop culture have to be some of the greatest music groups to come out of Britain: The Spice Girls and The Beatles! These costumes may require a little more effort, and you will quickly become the masters of attaching a wig during the pre-party time crunch, but the final result is definitely worth it. For a Beatles group costume all you need is the turtleneck sweaters, some bowl cut wigs, and to find yourself a spot on the Zebra crossing on Market Street to re-create the infamous Abbey Road album cover –

Halloween group photos have never been easier! 

Iconic Duos

Credit: @JaslynandMia on TikTok

You cannot miss the opportunity to dress you and your bestie up as Glinda and Elphaba this Halloween with the upcoming release of ‘Wicked: For Good.' To create this look all you need are matching corsets in green and pink and of course the icing on top is the black witch hat and glittering tiara.  

Another fabulous duo which is unique yet can still be achieved at a moment’s notice are the fashion assistants, Andy and Emily, from The Devil wears Prada. This film is also conveniently  releasing a sequel next year! For this duo, think runway model meets office chic with an early 2000s twist. The signature black blazer from the original movie and those knee-high boots make for the perfect duo costume this Halloween.  

Whether you are one of the lucky few who managed to get tickets for Fright Night, or you are taking advantage of the many other venues in town hosting Halloween celebrations, this list should have you and your group inspired to come up with the perfect themed ensemble in a pinch!